ATLANTA, Georgia – Despite doubts about his innocence, the Filipino-American community here staged on Sept. 13 a rally to mark the first anniversary of the incarceration of Dr. Noel Natividad Chua and drum up support for the Filam doctor. The rally was held at Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta and was attended by Filipino and non-Filipino supporters of Chua. Soli Nicolson, a community leader in Atlanta , coordinated the event with Marilyn Doromal, chairman of the Federation of Philippine American Organizations in Georgia (FPAOG).



Nicholson told the Reporter “We will continue to demand that Dr. Chua be freed or at least be released on bond.” Chua, 45, was charged with two counts of felony murder for the drug overdose death of James Carter III, a patient turned houseguest and clerk for the doctor. The Caloocan City-born physician was also charged with 17 counts of violation of Georgia ‘s Controlled Substance Act, as well as violation of the anti-racketeering statute (RICO), which gave authorities the power to take control of all his assets, and left him without resources for his defense. According to Chua’s lawyer Donald Samuel, jury selection will begin on Oct. 9 and the actual trial to start no later than Oct. 15.